Habakkuk 2:2-5 Wait for It
God answers Habakkuk’s concern about the Chaldeans. “They won’t rule forever, but you have to wait for it and have faith. I WILL bring My people out.”
Habakkuk has complained twice. The first time was because of all the sin he saw happening in Judah. “Surely this in getting Your attention God. It’s HORRIBLE! You need to do something about it.”
God’s answer is what spawned Habakkuk’s second complaint. “Yes. I am doing something. I’m raising up a conqueror who will rain down destruction and judgment on Judah.”
“That’s a little hard God. What will become of us? What will become of the one You sent to deliver Your judgment? Is there some other way?”
That last question brings me to the moment in the garden where Jesus asks that question of His Father. “Is there some other way? I REALLY don’t want to do this, but if it is YOUR will, I will walk out EVERY STEP that You have laid before Me.”
God didn’t ignore Jesus’ question. He didn’t say; “You KNOW there isn’t.” He didn’t scold Jesus for ‘complaining’. Instead, He sent ministering angels to Jesus to strengthen Him for what lay ahead. “No. There is no other way. But I will be by Your side in EVERY MOMENT I CAN.” Did Jesus anticipate the moment He would be alone? Did He narrow His focus to ‘one step at a time’? Or did He fix His eyes on the ‘finish line’ and put ALL He had into getting there? Whatever His ultimate focus, He didn’t fail to see opportunities to minister to others, even as he labored for every breath.
God didn’t ignore Habakkuk’s question either. He told him to “wait for it” (verse 3b). And He makes a solemn promise that the one He was bringing to dispense judgment on Judah WOULD receive judgment himself. God will NOT let this ‘blood thirst, power hungry’ nation stand forever. HE would bring them down AT THE APPOINTED TIME. Not before and not after. At just the right moment, God would end Judah’s judgment and bring an end to their oppressor.
Habakkuk was to write down the judgement that God PROMISED would fall on those who carried them away. He was also to write it so ANYONE could understand it. No hiding His intention. Babylon WOULD conquer Judah and then they would FALL. HE would see to it. “Have faith!”
Father God, I trust EVERY WORD You have given me. I KNOW that You will bring about ALL that You have promised and prepared for my life. I don’t know what they all are, but I KNOW that You do. I will trust you to bring them about. Of THAT I’m certain! “Wait for it!”
